Rosemary Hanley's Obituary
Rosemary Hanley passed away peacefully on May 2, 2026, after a life defined by service, kindness and generosity. She was born in Lawrence on May 3, 1936, and was the beloved daughter of the late James and Julia Hanley. She was predeceased by her aunt, Betty Maloney, her brother, James G. Hanley, and her brother-in-law, Thomas Bowen. She is survived by her sister, Dorothy Bowen, her brother, John Hanley and his wife Margaret, and her sister-in-law, Annette Hanley, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and countless friends, especially Mike Garrihy.
A graduate of St. Patrick’s High School, Rosemary earned her nursing diploma from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing and devoted her professional life to caring for others as a registered nurse. She worked for 44 years at Lawrence General Hospital as head nurse, nurse manager and supervisor. She received a commendation from the hospital at the time of her retirement praising her professionalism, compassion and loyalty. She loved her family life, travelled extensively, being with her friends and all Boston sports teams.
She was a woman of deep and enduring faith and volunteered for many years at Cor Unum Meal Center and at St. Patrick Church, for which she received the Chevalier Medal given by the archdiocese recognizing her contributions to the church.
The Hanley family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Methuen Village dementia care unit whose compassion, kindness and attentive care brought Rosemary great comfort over the past several years.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Church, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, MA 01841. Friends may call on Thursday, May 7, 2026 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury, Lawrence, MA 01841. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cor Unum Meal Center or St. Patrick Church, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843.
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